Computer-based notification system having redundant sensor alarm determination and associated computer-implemented method for issuing notification of events
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method of issuing a notification of an occurrence of an event within a defined area having a plurality of sensors positioned therein comprising the steps of:
- configuring each of said plurality of sensors as either a non-redundant type sensor or a redundant type sensor;
detecting, for a first one of said plurality of sensors, a transition into an alarm condition;
determining if said first sensor transitioning into said alarm condition is configured as a non-redundant type or redundant type sensor;
upon determining that said sensor is configured as a non-redundant type sensor, issuing a first notification to a first group of selected recipients; and
upon determining that said sensor is configured as a redundant type sensor, issuing a second notification to a second group of selected recipients.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A notification system for reporting events occurring within a defined area being monitored thereby. The notification system includes a plurality of sensors installed at selected locations within the defined area and a sensor interface coupled to each of the sensors. The sensor interface periodically polls the sensors and stores status information received therefrom. Coupled to the sensor interface is a computer system for receiving and analyzing the stored status data. Upon determining from the status data that an event requiring issuance of a notification has occurred, the computer system issues a series of notifications for which each recipient of a notification receives a selected message regarding the event.
124 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A computer-implemented method of issuing a notification of an occurrence of an event within a defined area having a plurality of sensors positioned therein comprising the steps of:
-
configuring each of said plurality of sensors as either a non-redundant type sensor or a redundant type sensor; detecting, for a first one of said plurality of sensors, a transition into an alarm condition; determining if said first sensor transitioning into said alarm condition is configured as a non-redundant type or redundant type sensor; upon determining that said sensor is configured as a non-redundant type sensor, issuing a first notification to a first group of selected recipients; and upon determining that said sensor is configured as a redundant type sensor, issuing a second notification to a second group of selected recipients. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A computer-implemented method of issuing a notification of an occurrence of an event within a defined area having a plurality of sensors positioned therein comprising the steps of:
-
configuring each of said plurality of sensors as either a non-redundant type sensor or a redundant type sensor; assigning each of said sensors configured as a redundant type sensor into a sensor group, each of said sensor groups having at least two of said sensors included therein; detecting transitions by respective ones of said plurality of sensors into an alarm condition; determining if said sensors transitioning into said alarm condition includes at least one sensor configured as a non-redundant type sensor; if it is determined that said sensors transitioning into said alarm condition includes at least one sensor configured as a non-redundant type sensor, issuing a first notification to a first group of selected recipients; determining if said sensors transitioning into said alarms condition includes at least one sensor configured as a redundant type sensor; if it is determined that said sensors transitioning into said alarm condition includes at least one sensor configured as a redundant type sensor, determining, for each of said redundant type sensors transitioning into said alarm condition, if all of said sensors grouped with said redundant type sensors transitioning into said alarm condition have also transitioned into said alarm condition; if it is determined that all of said sensors grouped with said redundant type sensors transitioning into said alarm condition have also transitioned into said alarm condition, issuing said first notification to said first group of selected recipients; and if it is determined that all of said sensors grouped with said redundant type sensors transitioning into said alarm condition have not transitioned into said alarm condition, issuing a second notification to a second group of selected recipients. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
-
-
9. A notification system for reporting events occurring within a defined area being monitored by said notification system, comprising:
-
a plurality of sensors installed at selected locations within said defined area; a computer system coupled to each of said plurality of sensors, said computer system including; means for selectively configuring each of said plurality of sensors as either a non-redundant type sensor or a redundant type sensor; means for detecting an alarm condition for each of said plurality of sensors; means for determining, from said detected alarm conditions, if an event requiring issuance of a notification has occurred; and means for issuing a notification regarding said event to a recipient; wherein said means for determining if an event requiring issuance of a notification has occurred further comprises; means for determining if said detected alarm condition originated at a non-redundant type sensor; means for determining that an event requiring issuance of a notification has occurred if said detected alarm condition originated at a non-redundant type sensor; means for determining if said detected alarm condition originated at a redundant type sensor; and means for determining that an event requiring issuance of a notification has occurred if said detected alarm condition originated at a redundant type sensor and if an alarm condition has been detected for each of a preselected group of at least two of said plurality of sensors, said preselected group including said redundant type sensor at which said alarm condition originated. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A notification system for reporting events occurring within a defined area being monitored by said notification system, comprising:
-
a plurality of sensors installed at selected locations within said defined area; a sensor interface coupled to each of said sensors, said sensor interface including means for periodically polling each of said sensors and means for storing status information for each of said sensors; a computer system coupled to said sensor interface, said computer system including; means for selectively configuring each of said plurality of sensors as either a non-redundant type sensor or a redundant type sensor; means for polling said sensor interface for said stored status information; means for determining, from said status information, whether an alarm condition has been detected for each of said plurality of sensors; means for determining, from said detected alarm conditions, if an event requiring issuance of a notification has occurred; and means for issuing a notification regarding said event to a recipient; wherein said means for determining if an event requiring issuance of a notification has occurred further comprises; means for determining if said detected alarm condition originated at a non-redundant type sensor; means for determining that an event requiring issuance of a notification has occurred if said detected alarm condition originated at a non-redundant type sensor; means for determining if said detected alarm condition originated at a redundant type sensor; and means for determining that an event requiring issuance of a notification has occurred if said detected alarm condition originated at a redundant type sensor and if an alarm condition has been detected for each one of a promulgated group of at least two of said plurality of sensors. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
-
Specification